Compaq denies Scottish plants will be affected by job cuts

Compaq has poured cold water on suggestions that it is to
cut more jobs from its Scottish plants.

The company stated that it was very unlikely that plans to lose
4,000 jobs worldwide would result in further redundancies at the company’s
plants in Erkenshine and Ayr.

A spokesperson for Compaq, who stressed it was too early to
say what countries would be affected by the job losses, said, “Whilst Compaq is
cutting 4,000 jobs worldwide, it is very unlikely that there will be any
redundancies made in our Scottish plants.”

Compaq has axed around 1,000 jobs in Scotland in the past
few months, causing anger amongst Scottish workers unions about their treatment
compared to workers in mainland Europe.

Jimmy Farrelly, Senior Industrial Organiser of the Scottish
Transport and General Workers’ Union said, “When the initial jobs were lost at
Erskine and Ayr, we argued that we should be given the same rights as workers
elsewhere in Europe to be consulted prior to any announcements.

“We should be allowed to bring our experience to bear in
seeking solutions to minimising job losses and developing financial and re-training
initiatives for those seeking alternatives and employment.

“We would therefore reiterate our request to be involved in
discussions with Compaq on behalf of our members with a view to protecting
jobs.”

However, a spokesperson for Compaq claimed that its
employees in Scotland have little cause for worry: “Whilst Compaq is cutting
4,000 jobs worldwide, it is very unlikely that there will be any redundancies
made in our Scottish plants.”